BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Two separate brush fires broke out across Brevard County on Thursday, burning a combined 25 acres and prompting evacuations in one community and a shelter-in-place at a Melbourne school.
The larger fire broke out in Mims, where flames spread across about 20 acres of brush near homes on a rural dirt road.
Brevard County Fire Rescue was responding to the fire in the area of Blounts Ridge and Aurantia roads at the time of this writing, the spokesperson said.
Stephanie Foster said she was out having lunch when she got the call.
“My husband called me and said that the neighbors have been calling and texting and saying there’s a fire behind the house,” Foster said.
When she tried to return home, she was stopped at a roadblock. The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office had evacuated her home and nearby neighbors as the fire spread.
[WATCH: Brevard brush fire burns near church, school]
Two outbuildings were destroyed, but no primary homes were lost. Foster said she was relieved when she was finally allowed back.
“Nobody’s house got burned down. I think the neighbor’s house lost a couple sheds or something, but that’s it,” she said.
At the same time, another brush fire was burning roughly 40 miles south in the Melbourne area.
That fire, near Business Center Boulevard, burned about five acres. Holy Trinity School sheltered in place as a precaution and later conducted a modified release of students. No evacuations were ordered in that case.
One witness described seeing flames reach high into the trees.
“Saw fire flames all the way to the top of the trees. Immediately came in and called 911,” the witness said.
Officials said the Melbourne fire is now under control.
Back in Mims, the Florida Forest Service cut fire lines and continued clearing brush into the night to prevent flare-ups. Officials said both fires are now contained.
Foster said living in the woods during Florida’s dry season comes with risk.
“I love it out here but yes, this is the downside. You get very nervous when it’s fire season,” she said.
No homes were destroyed in either fire.